This cleverly designed golf travel bag folds up for easy storage | I tried it

Welcome to I Tried It, a GOLF.com series on golf gear (apparel, equipment, accessories, etc.) that we recently tried out. We’re here to give our honest, no-nonsense take on the latest and greatest golf or golf-related items. So scroll down to read what we like about golf’s latest (or new to us) products.

I don’t travel much for golf these days, but when a trip involving crossing state lines by plane loomed on the horizon, I had to recognize that my 15-year-old duffle bag was probably ready for retirement.

So which bag would be next for me? My husband is a Club Glove enthusiast, but I was looking for something cheaper, as I really only needed a vessel to safely guide my clubs a few times a year, maximum. As any traveling golfer knows, travel bag prices vary wildly, from about $450 at the high end to less than $100 at the ultra-cheap end. I decided to split the difference somewhere and opt to try it Ogio Alphawhich retails for $249.99.

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The Alpha delivers exactly what you expect from a golf travel bag: durable, robust outer material and easy-rolling wheels. At first glance it seems quite simple, but the default appearance masks some useful features.

Firstly, the outer zippers are equipped with convenient drawstrings and can be rotated more than 180 degrees around the bag, allowing you to easily fit your clubs inside when it is fully opened. There’s an internal buckle that runs around your bag to keep it in place, and the club heads are cushioned by a layer of padding that surrounds the top third of the bag, with plenty of room to add additional accessories. a stiff arm for extra protection if desired.

There is one exterior zippered pocket that is deep enough for a pair of golf shoes or other accessories, and the exterior bag buckles are equipped with convenient, sturdy handles to make it easy to lift the bag horizontally after pulling.

My tote bag is steamed to size, so once it was secured, there was plenty of room around it for extra supplies. The Alpha is large enough for both standard carrying bags and cart bags.

However, the best feature of the bag in my opinion is the ease with which it can be stored away when not in use. The Alpha folds down to the size of a duffel bag in a few quick steps and even comes with an extra buckle to secure it securely in that compact, folded position.

Another great detail: Whether you fly or ship your clubs, I love the addition of the oversized shipping label/address window on the bottom of the bag, making identification quick and easy.

Bonus: When you purchase an Ogio bag, you can upload your proof of purchase and take advantage of free returns from Ship Sticks. Interested? Click here for more details. And to add the Ogio Alpha to your gear arsenal, click the product link above!